Category Archives: Opportunity

An editorial by Raj Attiken in Adventist Today points out the irony of the question that will be voted in San Antonio. “It is superfluous to ask General Conference Session delegates whether Continue reading →

Would you be concerned, maybe shocked, to hear that a woman would be your new pastor? When that happened in 2008 in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, many members were skeptical of the idea. They did not want Tara VinCross to come to their district. But they felt differently when they met her. What made the difference? Continue reading →

Fascinating facts on Adventist women as spiritual leaders under the headship of Christ. In an attempt to cut through some of the confusing ideas surrounding the question of whether the Seventh-day Adventist Church should ordain women as pastors, here are some basic ideas and principles that should inform our Biblical understanding of the issue. From our friends at OrdinationFacts.com.

Dr. Angel Rodriguez, a theologian for the General Conference Biblical Research Institute from 1987 to 2011 and its director from 2002 to 2011, explains that the vote in San Antonio is not intended to be a majority vote about whether the Bible allows ordination of women to the ministry. The Adventist Church does not define truth by majority vote. This is not a theological issue. It is simply a question of what is best for the Church. Dr. Rodriguez explains that a Yes vote is a vote for unity and a vote for doing all we can to follow Christ’s command to go and tell the Good News. Continue reading →

Dr. Martin Weber, with four decades of experience in Adventist ministry, discusses women in leadership–a logical and theological mandate. His hope is that the church will quit being in a state of denial about women in ministry. Originally featured in Adventist Today, his prayer is that the delegates to the GC Session will resolve this issue both logically and theologically. Continue reading →

God calls and ordains both men and women. God said on “both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit.” (Acts 2:18) The Holy Spirit “prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors.” (Ellen White, Testimonies Vol. 6, p. 322) Continue reading →

Esther Knott’s father was a Hindu. When he became a Christian and a Seventh-day Adventist, his life was turned around; his whole focus became telling others about what Jesus had done for him. So it was natural that Esther would want to “be about her father’s business” of sharing the Good News. Pastor Knott, of the Pioneer Memorial Church and an Associate Ministerial Director of the NAD of Seventh-day Adventists, discusses her path to pastoral ministry.

Dr. Dwight Nelson, senior pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University, takes a second look at “male headship.” You can follow along with the sermon outline. The title is based on Psalm 68:11 – “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.”

Reprinted from an editorial by Monte Sahlin on Feb. 11, 2015, in Adventist Today:

As Elder Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference, approaches what will likely be the make-or-break GC Session of his career, will his thoughts turn to his father’s role in the issues related to ordination and the role of women in the Seventh-day Adventist Church? A research assistant reminded me this morning of a document from the fall of 1977 which reveals the views of Elder Neal C. Wilson Continue reading →

What Would God Do?

The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy support equal ordination and equality in ministry. God ordains women; His church should, too. Male headship is not the issue, as “Christ, not the minister, is the head of the church.” (Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 1-27-1890). The General Conference Biblical Research Institute concluded in 1976, “If God has called a woman, and her ministry is fruitful, why should the church withhold its standard act of recognition?”